The Cycle of Cycling

Since East Peoria teen Mitchell Gray took up cycling three years ago, he has learned a lot about the sport and himself. And those in the sport have learned a lot about Gray.

'At first, I did it because it was fun, I liked to go fast but also liked long distance rides,' Gray said. 'I started getting better and thought I'd just go with it.'

Gray, a 17-year-old senior-to-be at Notre Dame, has more than just gotten better. He rode his way to a national team, raced all over America and recently in Canada.

Gray's career took another big step recently when he made a USA national development team — one of three teams of six — at North Arizona University.

The tryouts included a time trial against the clock and mountain climbing that included altitude he was not used to. Gray rode about three hours a day to train for nationals. He averages about 300 miles per week.

'Breathing was a lot harder,' he said of his Arizona trip.

Training regimen

Gray, who races for the Springfield-based Team Mack Racing Association, rides at least two to three hours a day, and usually follows a weekly structured schedule that might include sprinting and four-to-five hour endurance rides.

On Tuesdays, he practices fast-race speed. Gray goes to Dunlap for a group ride that averages 23-24 mph.

On Wednesdays, he does an interval practice during which he rides hard for five minutes in intervals.

On Thursdays, Gray takes what he calls an 'easy ride.' The distance depends on time. Gray recently went 95 miles on his easy day.

On Fridays, he will practice for races, including testing tempo and sprints.

Before Gray became successful in the sport, he had to learn about it.

'Most people don't know a lot about the sport,' Gray said. 'There's drafting, echelons, pace lines. My teammates helped me out, getting used to the sport and getting used to what it takes.'

Sense of community

Teammates help in many ways, and several veterans do so because they are interested in getting new cyclists involved in what can be an expensive sport.

Neighbor and veteran rider Steve Driscoll knows the importance of someone giving a helping hand. He's doing that for Gray.

'I grew up in a lower middle class family,' Driscoll said. 'Through a chain of events, I always found a mentor or a sponsor. Someone would give me a ride or bought a plane ticket or bike parts with no strings attached. They'd say pay it forward. There is a great theme of selflessness in this sport.'

Some of the paying forward becomes a necessity to help new cyclists be able to afford the sport.

Page 2 of 3 - Gray spent $500 on his first bike. That purchase was followed by an Italian bike, Colnago, which was insured for $6,000. He's currently riding a Giant TCR, a carbon fiber with electronic shifting, which he has insured for $8,000.

'It's however much you want to spend,' Gray said. 'A good beginner bike is at least $1,500. I never knew (the sport) was going to be that expensive. But that's how friends and teammates help. They like to help because they want a new generation involved. It's a good thing to be on a team because everybody helps each other out.'

That's something Gray is doing with a teammate now.

'Right now, I'm selling him old parts for pretty cheap and building a chance for (another rider),' Gray said.

Gray has found many ways to afford the sport. He mows 10 yards on Fondulac Drive in East Peoria, and he has sponsorship deals with Little Ade's Bicycles in Pekin.

With trips to California, Arizona, Wisconsin and Canada this year, and a return to California scheduled for the fall, Gray has added an online fundraiser at gofundme.com/ad6214, at which he has raised more than $2,200.

Ups and downs

Many cyclists know the rigors of the sport, having had a run-in with a four-wheeled vehicle. Gray got that part of his career over early when he was hit by a pickup two years ago on Roth Road in rural Morton. He spent seven hours in an emergency room.

'It was just bruises but the bike got crumpled and I sold about everything off of it,' Gray said.

Younger brother Ethan, 15, who is going into his sophomore year at East Peoria High School, has followed Mitchell into the sport after three years of BMX competition. Both also play hockey for Notre Dame's club team.

'I'm still on a bike, and I could go a lot faster in this sport,' Ethan said. 'It doesn't have the thrill of jumps, I miss that. But I feel challenged racing against people with a lot of experience.'

What's ahead?

The cycling season basically runs February through October. Mitchell takes off December and picks it back up in January. He also follows the sport on television, which has helped in his learning process.

'I never really followed pro sports until now,' he said. 'There's quite a bit you can learn watching it. The commentators explain what's going on and why.'

Gray has been in about 50 races, mostly in Illinois, and has close to 30 victories. He was also impressive this summer with a third place in the Morton Community Bank Cycling Classic's Category 1-3 Men's Open, where he raced against Cat 1 and 2 veterans.

Page 3 of 3 - He won the Illinois Cup for the junior category two years in a row, and he also won the juniors criterion at Edwardsville three years in a row. He is ranked No. 67 of 179 Cat 3 racers in Illinois and is fifth of 29 statewide in the junior overall standings.

He will likely advance to Cat 2 by the end of the year, which would keep him on pace for a possible professional career while still in his teens.

'He was 13 or 14 when he told me he was interested,' Driscoll said. 'I told him it would take a lot of hard work and dedication. This great kid has blossomed into a great racer and great young adult.

'In this sport, you have to get people to respect you. Everyone respects this kid because he's a good kid on the bike and off the bike.'